enunciate

verb enun·ci·ate \ ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌāt \

Definition of enunciate

enunciated; enunciating

transitive verb

1 a : to make a definite or systematic statement of

b : announce, proclaim

enunciated the new policy

2 : articulate, pronounce

enunciate all the syllables

intransitive verb

: to utter articulate sounds

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enunciable

play \ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ə-bəl, -ˈnən-ch(ē-)ə-\ adjective

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enunciation

play \ē-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən\ noun

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enunciator

play \ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌā-tər\ noun

See enunciate defined for English-language learners

See enunciate defined for kids

Examples of enunciate in a Sentence

He set out to enunciate the basic principles of his system.
enunciate a basic set of beliefs
Children should be taught to enunciate clearly.

Recent Examples of enunciate from the Web

But even the non-Italians, including Czech soprano Hana Blazikova in the title role and Korean-American countertenor Kangmin Justin Kim as Nerone (both superb), enunciated the text very well.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Gardiner's Monteverdi cycle concludes with triumphant 'Poppea'," 16 Oct. 2017
Then, two years later, in McDonald v. City of Chicago, the court told us that the rule enunciated in Heller applied in all the states and not just in the District of Columbia.

— dahlia lithwick, Slate Magazine, "The Supreme Court created a gun rights crisis it’s unwilling to solve.," 5 Oct. 2017
So in his order, the judge wants to correctly enunciate the law.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "What the Ezekiel Elliott Decision Means for Him, the NFL and Other Players," 9 Sep. 2017
Nickelodeon's Spongebob Challenge skill ups the ante a bit, requiring little listeners to pay closer attention and enunciate better than with the Sesame Street skill.

— john patrick pullen, Fortune, "Amazon Echo Just Became Great for Kids (and Unbearable to Adults)," 4 Sep. 2017
On Monday night, Mr. Trump once again declined to enunciate a strategy for war in Afghanistan.

— robert bateman, Esquire, "Where's the Strategy?," 23 Aug. 2017
The Price Doctrine, enunciated by the manager shortly after the Break (and, um, in the final few months of 2015), is all about discovering which pitchers currently in the big leagues can, well, pitch in the big leagues.

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: When should winning matter for Reds?," 21 Aug. 2017
If Ole Miss is open to a settlement, Nutt has reportedly enunciated his demands: an apology and a $500,000 pledge to form a state commission on sports ethics.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Why Houston Nutt’s Suit Against Ole Miss Was Dismissed And What Comes Next," 10 Aug. 2017
Duarte, who wrapped up his freshman year at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, speaks with a deliberate tone, enunciates clearly and isn't afraid to joke on the air.

— chris lawrence, Alaska Dispatch News, "Young Chugiak Chinooks baseball broadcaster hones his voice," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enunciate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.